but primarily because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but primarily because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a reason or explanation that is the main focus among other reasons. Example: "The project was delayed, but primarily because of unforeseen circumstances that arose during the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This spring, Billy goes yellow which is good for a number of reasons relating to austerity measures and double dip recessions which we won't go into here, but primarily because yellow is going to be very, very big this year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This transition is being made due to many reasons, but primarily because of some scalability drawbacks of the classic Hadoop.

Procedia Computer Science

Personally, we buy organic foods not because of the "extra" nutrient value but primarily because of the decreased contaminants.

Harvard University

The retired school kitchen manager said she will vote for Mr. Romney, but primarily because she opposes Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

It is, but primarily because more nations are making the demographic transition to fewer children and more human capital investment.

The Economist

Both cases seem rightly decided, but primarily because of the strength of other factors supporting confusion and other persuasive survey results.

Harvard University

I can say this partly because Shakespeare has unfortunately become a relative rarity on major New York stages, but primarily because this production is so terrific.

The New York Times

These plans encountered public opposition not just because they were not very inspirational in themselves, but primarily because they were mistaken for architectural designs.

The New York Times

The housing market began spiraling down in 2006, but primarily because houses had appreciated so much faster than household incomes and had become increasingly unaffordable.

The New York Times

I despise the 2017 tax bill for many reasons, but primarily because it imposes huge future financial burdens on my kids and grandkids and mortgages our country's future.

The Washington Post

Thus, these innocent individuals become a permanent focus of the police, not because of anything they've done wrong but primarily because of their ethnic background.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but primarily because", ensure that the subordinate clause following "because" clearly and directly explains the main reason for the preceding statement. This enhances clarity and strengthens the logical connection between ideas.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "but primarily because" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but primarily because" functions as a causal connector, linking a statement with its main explanatory reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase to express the most significant cause among others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but primarily because" is a correct and widely used causal connector that emphasizes the most important reason among others. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical soundness and usability. It appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. To enhance your writing, remember to use it to clearly highlight the primary cause and avoid overusing the phrase in close proximity. Consider alternatives like "but mainly because" or "but chiefly because" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but chiefly because

Replaces "primarily" with "chiefly", emphasizing the main reason.

but mainly because

Substitutes "primarily" with "mainly", indicating the principal reason.

but largely because

Replaces "primarily" with "largely", suggesting a significant reason.

but mostly because

Substitutes "primarily" with "mostly", indicating the predominant reason.

but principally because

Replaces "primarily" with "principally", emphasizing the fundamental reason.

but essentially because

Substitutes "primarily" with "essentially", indicating the core reason.

but fundamentally because

Replaces "primarily" with "fundamentally", emphasizing the basic reason.

but at its heart because

Adds a figurative emphasis to the core reason.

but the main reason is

Uses a more direct structure to introduce the primary reason.

but the key factor is

Shifts the focus to the key element causing the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "but primarily because" in a sentence?

Use "but primarily because" to introduce the main reason for something, especially when there are other contributing factors. For example, "The project was delayed, but primarily because of unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "but primarily because"?

You can use alternatives such as "but mainly because", "but chiefly because", or "but largely because" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "but primarily because"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "but primarily because" can sometimes be seen as slightly redundant. Ensure the "primarily" adds meaningful emphasis to avoid unnecessary wordiness.

What's the difference between "but primarily because" and "because"?

"Because" simply introduces a reason. "But primarily because" indicates that there are multiple reasons, but the one you are about to state is the most important or influential. For example: "I chose this, but primarily because it was on sale".